Thorbjorg; but Gudrid replied, “That lore and
the ceremony are of such a kind, that I purpose to
be of no assistance therein, because I am a Christian
woman.” Then answered Thorbjorg, “Thou
mightest perchance afford thy help to the men in this
company, and yet be none the worse woman than thou
wast before; but to Thorkell give I charge to provide
here the things that are needful.” Thorkell
thereupon urged Gudrid to consent, and she yielded
to his wishes. The women formed a ring round about,
and Thorbjorg ascended the scaffold and the seat prepared
for her enchantments. Then sang Gudrid the weird-song
in so beautiful and excellent a manner, that to no
one there did it seem that he had ever before heard
the song in voice so beautiful as now. The spae-queen
thanked her for the song. “Many spirits,”
said she, “have been present under its charm,
and were pleased to listen to the song, who before
would turn away from us, and grant us no such homage.
And now are many things clear to me which before were
hidden both from me and others. And I am able
this to say, that the dearth will last no longer—the
season improving as spring advances. The epidemic
of fever which has long oppressed us will disappear
quicker than we could have hoped. And thee, Gudrid,
will I recompense straightway, for that aid of thine
which has stood us in good stead; because thy destiny
is now clear to me, and foreseen. Thou shalt
make a match here in Greenland, a most honourable
one, though it will not be a long-lived one for thee,
because thy way lies out to Iceland; and there, shall
arise from thee a line of descendants both numerous
and goodly, and over the branches of thy family shall
shine a bright ray. And so fare thee now well
and happily, my daughter.” Afterwards the
men went to the wise-woman, and each enquired after
what he was most curious to know. She was also
liberal of her replies, and what she said proved true.
After this came one from another homestead after her,
and she then went there. Thorbjorn was invited,
because he did not wish to remain at home while such
heathen worship was performing. The weather soon
improved when once spring began, as Thorbjorg had
said, Thorbjorn made ready his ship, and went on until
he came to Brattahlid (the steep slope). Eirik
received him with the utmost cordiality, saying he
had done well to come there. Thorbjorn and his
family were with him during the winter. And in
the following spring Eirik gave to Thorbjorn land at
Stokknes, and handsome farm buildings were there built
for him, and he dwelt there afterwards.
4. Eirik had a wife who was named Thjodhild, and two sons; the one was named Thorstein, and the other Leif. These sons of Eirik were both promising men. Thorstein was then at home with his father; and there was at that time no man in Greenland who was thought so highly of as he. Leif had sailed to Norway, and was there with King Olaf Tryggvason. Now, when Leif sailed from Greenland during the summer,